Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-10
THE SCHOOLS AND THE CITIZENS.
How Association No. Undertook -
Get Information.
Mr.. CoPP, THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TIE ASSOCIATION,
PREVENTED FROM EXAMINING sCHooIs-wHAr THE
TRUSTEES sAY, ETC

The letter to the District Commissioners from
Citizens Association No. l. published In Tss STAR
yesterday, has caused considerable discussion
among persons interested in the public schocls
This letter Enclosed q list OF questions which the
writers asked permission to submit to the teachers
In the second school division. Mr.. Jesse B. Wilson,
president OF Citizens Association No. 4
stated, when asked about the questions, that that
association desired to get information In relation
TO the condition OF the schools and adopted this
at the request OF the association. to make An in,
spection OF the schools had been stopped by the
mr.. CoPP EXPLAINS IT.
81 do not want 1t understood" said Mr. II. n.
Copp to STAR reporter to-day, 'that I was re-
fused by MI. Webb permission to examine the
schools Mr.. Webb treated me very courteOusly,
as ne always treats citizens"
81 would like to KNOW said THE STAR reporter,
'just what did occur"
.well, III tell you" said Mr. Copp. "citizehs'
have some party not connected with the school
system, and therefore not prejudiced In favor OF
the the presen dssd 70 to the Schools IN
The alleged improvements that were being made
In the Course OF study and methods OF instruc-
the Webster and Gales buildings and make an ex-
animation OF the first and second grade schools
war1 said the had
Wass ba IN the pupil, seh0N al
went to, the Webster building on Monday.
lntended to inquire Of Miss Kent the principal OF
tme su, saI II there was any objection to my tax
comply with the request OF the citizens Associa-
ton; In Miss kent's room 1 found Prot. Powell
my errand to superintendent Powell in person;
toid I'M MN what proposed to do and made Inquiry
Of OIL Nun II there was any objection to my exanin.
part Of the school trustees. He said there was
no legal objection that he knew OF, but claimed
made by somebody selected by both sides. l told
him did not know anybody that could feel Nike
proposed to be entirely fair and to give an honest
and truthful report of the examination; that 1t
would not satisfy me to sit there. as he
hear the teacher put questions, and the children
answering them, volunteering to do so in diner
e h parts OF the room; that wanted TO examine
when was supervising principal, taking one pupil
after another in row, and one row after another,
answers what the children knew on the
subject examined Professor Powell, after this
conversation, said could proceed, but finding,
on account of the storm, that comparatively few
children were present, 1 said to the teachers
Thought it would be fairer to wait until Tuesday,
when the children would be there in fuller attend
ance. So Tuesday morning came to the school
and commenced my examination. ! found with
Prof Powell on visit Of inspection, suppose, ex
phone message from Mr.. Webb to come to
his Office. But as Mr.. Powell wanted to re-
he ede to Mo- wshb with n, Judge
that is the way Mr.. Webb came. l took charge Of
the reading, and continued the examination to
ABOUT the closing hour, when said that would
continue my examination the next morning, and
Prof. Powell requested me to be there by 10 O'Clock.
l arrived W. wednesday morning about 10. and
that Prof. Powell wished to see me
said that committee Of trustees the night before
had considered my proposed examination and for
hidden Inc to continue. told him did not pro-
pose to test the authority Of the trustees and
would stop my examination right there. After
further conversation as to school methods and
Discipline and an exhibition Of work By Miss At
departure. The report have prepared have SUBJ
United to Mr.. Powell, that he may make any cor
port will go to the Citizens Association who may
say that saw s sc@s things - to 'erile,ss
prevented from Continuing my examination
could not make complete review. The commit
tee OF trustees wrote letter to Supervising Prn-
cipal Gage. Prof. Hunt, who was also requested
to make an examination, went to Supt Gage We'd
nesday morning, and was met by this letter, which
payer and representative OF committee Of citizens
din not think / was an officiOus interneddler.
TO stop my examination. after it had been COM
menced, it seems TO me, would create the impress
sion That results OF the examination were feared"
WHAT COMMISSIONER WEBB SAYS.
Commissioner Webb did not return from visit
ing the schools until late in the afternoon. To a
STAR reporter, who asked him II he wished to say
Wilson, he at first declined, but when the reporter
read few extracts from the reported statements,
Mr.. Webb reused up and said:
You KNOW" said he turning to Commissioner
Wheatley, who was seated near him, '.you know
that never do anything about the schools unless
it is hrst considered by the board Of Commissioners
Every one knows that never before in the history
OF our schools was there more harmony existing
fpafv no
there is at present There Is nothing done by
either the Commissioners or the trustees without
both have knowledge Of it."
AN INDIGNANT DENIAL
Referring to the statement that when Mr. Henry
N. Copp started out to examine the schools he was
met at the door OF the first school and stopped by
Commissioner Webb and Superintendent Powell
Mr.. Webb said in very indignant tones: "That
Powell and went to the Webster school we met a
gentleman IN there but did nus not know
don { Know anything about Mr.. Copp Nor did /
know what his mission was until Mr.. Powell told
lutely false and without one grain Of foundation,
n0 think s '-i that s'' after we left the Web.
s snd sssGS TO gf school, think @e h
visited several Of the schools in that building be-
Mr. rowe said DO know that ,ssn
me that he was sent by the citizens committee to
examine the schools. Now, that's all know about
1t, nor did care at the time what Mr.. Copp did"
TRUSTEE FISH.
When the STAR reporter called upon Trustee Ros
A. Fish to-day, he found that gentleman and
superintendent Powell engaged in conversation.
Both hastened to inform the reporter that their
conversation had no reference to the public
schools or to the article which ap-
peared in THE STAR last night. They
refused to say anything In regard to the
matter but when the reporter read portion of
the remarks attributed by a morning paper to MI.
Jesse b. Wilson, wherein he said. "The idea was
Quoted. Idon't kn0wvery much about the 80 matters
myself, but persons who take an interest In the
management OF the schools say they are not con-
Quoted SO well now as under the old board" Mr..
Fish remarked significantly, THAT lets the cat out
OF the bag"
TALK WITH TRUSTEE CURTIS.
II do not know what the school board will DO
about It," said Mr.. w. w. Curtis one OF the school
trustees, when questio ned by O STAR reporter to
day, "but know that IL 1t was matter coming up
III my DIVISION and 1t was for me to pass upon It.
would settle 1t very quickly. II were satisfied
that this request came from persons who have
axes to grind some personal object to serve,s
personal resentment to crafty, / would pay no
attention to It; but IL 1t came from good citizenS
such many Of those on this citizens committee
bring about, as they believe, some improvement
in the schools, I would refer them to tho
superintendent and the records in his on1ce. |
This agitation is very injurious to the schools and
1t ought not to be encouraged. 1t keeps up con- |
Stantly feeling OF uncertainty throughout the
schools and tends also to raise spirit OF tnBub-
ordination. II this citizens committee. or any
ut n nm NV